WO2007110122A1

WO2007110122A1 - Transporting system for bottles or similar containers, and installation for handling bottles or similar containers

Info

Publication number: WO2007110122A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/001066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Backhaus; Thomas Stienen
Original assignee: Khs Ag
Priority date: 2006-03-24
Filing date: 2007-02-08
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Also published as: DE102006013800B3; US8112969B2; JP5404382B2; CN101432209B; EP2001774A1; EP2001774B1; MX2008012067A; CN101432209A; DE102006013800C5; BRPI0709341A2; US20090077933A1; JP2009530211A

Abstract

Transporting system for transporting bottles or similar containers (1) between at least one first machine (3), for example a blow-moulding machine for producing the containers (1) from plastic, and at least one second machine (4), for example a filling machine, having at least one transporting element (15) which can be driven in circulation and has a plurality of container holders (16) which, by way of the transporting element (15), are moved past a number of transfer positions (12.1, 17.1, 18.1, 21, 26.1) which follow one after the other in a transporting-element circulating direction or transporting direction (B) and of which at least one transfer position (17.1) serves for feeding the containers (1) from the first machine (3) to the transporting element (15), at least one transfer position (12.1, 26.1) serves for passing the containers (1) on to the second machine (4), at least one transfer position (21, 26.1) serves for passing the containers (1) on to at least one buffer-storage section (20), and at least one transfer position (18.1) serves for passing the containers (1) on to the transporting element (15) from the buffer-storage section (20).

Description

Transport system for bottles or similar containers and equipment for treating bottles or similar containers

The invention relates to a transport system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a system according to the preamble of claim 18.

The transport system according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively suitable for transporting bottles or similar containers made of thermoplastic material, for example PET, between a blow molding machine in which the containers are produced from heated preforms by stretch blow molding, and a subsequent part of an overall system , eg a downstream machine, such as a filling machine.

Blow molding machines for producing containers made of thermoplastic material essentially consist of a heating station in which the preforms are heated under a controlled temperature control, as well as from a downstream blowing station, in which the blow molding is carried out at high power and this usually from one to a vertical machine axis circumferentially driven rotor or blowing wheel with a variety of blow molds. Both process steps, namely the preheating of the preforms and the subsequent blow molding are coupled directly to each other. In particular, the heating station u.a. adapted to the performance of the blowing station in terms of heat output and flow rate. In practice, the blow molding machine is followed by another part of a complete system, for example a filling machine, which is then e.g. can also be directly blocked with the blow molding machine.

In particular, in blow molding machines for the production of bottles, it is necessary at a standstill or a malfunction in the downstream part of an entire system or in the downstream machine that the blower continues to run until the blow molding of the blowing station are completely emptied, i. The blower has run completely empty. Depending on the design of the upstream of the blowing machine heating station and / or the material of the preforms used, it may also be necessary in case of failure that the heating station is emptied, i. the preforms located there at the time of the malfunction are still being blown into bottles.

The amount of preforms and bottles involved in this case corresponds quite well to the amount of preforms or bottles that are normally used in a two-minute trouble-free operation of a blow molding machine or processed. The bottles generated during this emptying of the blow molding machine must be discharged and discarded in the usual systems.

The causes of malfunctions in a part of an overall system or in a downstream machine following the blow molding machine can be very diverse, for example due to missing operating media, missing product to be filled in a subsequent filling machine, jams in subsequent transport systems, mechanical or electrical errors in complex control systems, etc The emptying of the blow molding machine causes considerable material costs, which can add up to a six-figure euro amount each year for installations of higher output and continuous operation. The emptying of the blow molding machine also means that a resumption of a filling process can take place only significantly delayed, since first in the blow molding machine again preforms must be heated and molded from these bottles.

The object of the invention is to show a transport system, which allows in a continuous conveying process, a discharge of containers in a buffer section and a re-slipping the container from the buffer line in the normal container flow. To solve this problem, a transport system according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A system with such a transport system is the subject of claim 18.

The transport system according to the invention is particularly suitable for the transport of bottles or similar containers made of plastic and in particular also in the form that the containers are held and transported hanging on a container or mouth flange. Furthermore, the transport system according to the invention is particularly suitable for the transport of bottles or containers between a blow molding machine and a downstream part, for example a downstream machine of a complete system. In case of faults or at a standstill of the downstream part of the entire system, it is then possible to record the empty bottles of the blowing machine or container in the buffer section and these containers after removing the fault to the downstream part of the entire system or to the downstream machine without forward time delay and thereby ua also to bridge the time required for restarting the blow molding machine.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it: Fig. 1 as a bottle and formed on a functional element of a

Transport system suspended container; 2 and 3 respectively in a schematic representation and in plan view located between two machines transport system for containers according to

FIG. 1

In the figures, 1 bottles, which are made of a thermoplastic material, such as PET, by molding or stretch blow molding, and in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 via a generally designated 2 there transport system of a first blow molding machine 3 for manufacturing or bubbles of the bottles 1 are transported to a subsequent second machine, which is for example a filling machine 4 of rotating design. On the entire transport path 2, the bottles 1 are held and guided in each case on a mouth flange 1.1 hanging on guides or other functional elements, as indicated schematically in Figure 1, in particular by the reference numeral 5.

The blow molding machine 3 has the construction known to those skilled in the art, i. this machine consists essentially of a heating station 6, the preforms 1 a are supplied from the thermoplastic material via an inlet 7 and in which these preforms are moved by means of a conveyor 6.1 through at least one heating zone. The thus-heated preforms 1a pass via an outlet 8 to the blow molds 9.1 of a blowing station 10, which are moved past this outlet and are provided on a revolving rotor 9, in which the bottle 1 is produced from the heated preform 1 a by stretch blow molding, which then flows over reach the outlet 11 to the transport system 2.

A function of the transport system 2 is to move the bottles 1 of the blow molding machine 3 directly to the filling machine 4 and to the inlet of this machine forming inlet star 12 in normal trouble-free operation, then the bottles 1 individually to each of the Filling positions 13 are passed, which are provided in the usual manner known to those skilled in the periphery of a vertical machine axis in the direction of arrow A rotatably driven rotor 14 and where the bottles are kept suspended during the filling process 1 at its mouth 1.1.

Another function of the transport system 2 is to buffer in the case of a stoppage or malfunction of the filling machine 4 supplied by the blower 3 bottles 1 at least as long until stopped supply of the preforms 1 a to the heating station 6 latter and also the blow station 10th completely empty are ren. In the event of a malfunction in the subsequent filling machine 4, the blowing machine 3 is thus indeed emptied in the required manner, but it is not necessary to reject the bottles 1 that accumulate in the process or to remove them completely from the system.

To fulfill these functions, the transport system has as a central element a about a vertical axis in the direction of arrow B circumferentially drivable transport or transfer star 15, which has a plurality of receptacles 16 for hanging each receiving a bottle 1 at its periphery. This star conveyor 15 are associated with the inlet star 12 and two each a container or bottle transfer to the star transport 15 forming dividing stars 17 and 18, which are also each driven by a vertical machine axis synchronously with the transport star 15, in such a way that these dividing stars 17 and 18 respectively in opposite directions to the transport star 15 rotate. The dividing star 17 forms the end of a transport path 19, which communicates with the outlet 11 of the blow molding machine 3. The dividing star 18 forms the end of a buffer path 20 which extends between a buffer path inlet 21 and the dividing star 18.

The arrangement is made in the illustrated embodiment so that the dividing star 17 and the transfer position formed by this 17.1 and the inlet star 12 and the removal position formed by this 12.1 are offset in the direction of rotation B of the transfer star 15 by an angular amount less than 180 ° to each other and in the direction of rotation B, the acceptance position 12.1 follows the transfer position 17.1. At the dispensing position 12.1 follows in the direction of rotation B of the buffer path inlet 21, then followed in the direction of rotation B of the partition star 18 and the transfer position formed by this 18.1 and then continue to this in the direction of rotation B, the transfer position 17.1.

The transport path 19 and the buffer section 21 are formed in the illustrated embodiment in each case essentially of a guide in which the bottles 1 are held suspended at its mouth flange 1.1 and on which these bottles 1 are moved, for example by conveying air or compressed air.

On the transport path 19, an electrically controllable stopper 22 is provided at the inlet to the dividing star 17, which blocks the transport path 19 for the movement of the bottles 2 to the dividing star 17 in the activated state and the transport path 19 for the movement of the bottles 1 in the non-activated state the division star 17 releases. A corresponding stopper 23 is provided on the buffer section 20 at the inlet to the dividing star 18. The operation of the transport system 2 can be described as follows:

In normal, trouble-free operation, the bottles 1 conveyed along the transport path 19 are each transferred individually to a receptacle 16 of the transfer star 15 with the dividing star 17 and then pass via the transfer position 12.1 and the infeed star 12 to a respective filling position 13 of the rotor 14. In the case of FIG a fault or a standstill of the filling machine 4, the bottles 1, for example, to the complete emptying of the blow molding machine 3 via the transport path 19 and the dividing star 17 to the transfer star 15 and its receptacles 16 forwarded to the transfer position 12.1 but not to the inlet star 12th passed. Rather, the bottles reach the buffer section 20 via the buffer-path inlet 21, at which the bottles are moved in the direction of the buffer-track outlet or in the direction of the partial star 18, which, however, is blocked, for example, by the activated stopper 23.

The absorption capacity of the buffer section 20 is designed so that at least all accumulating during a run of the blowing machine 3 bottles 1 can be included in it. During a disturbance, the transfer star 15 and the dividing stars 17 and 18 continue to be driven in rotation. When re-starting the filling machine 4 or after the elimination of a fault are first by deactivating the stopper 23, i. by releasing the dividing star 18 and activating the stopper 22, i. by blocking the dividing star 17, the recorded in the buffer section 20 bottles 1 via the dividing star 18 to the transfer star 15 or successively forwarded to a respective receptacle 16 and then arrive with the rotating transfer star 15 to the transfer position 12.1 at which the bottles 1 to the Einlaufstern 12 and from this to each one filling position 13 of the rotor 14 are passed.

As soon as sufficient bottles 1 are again supplied via the transport path 19 and the buffer section 20 is also emptied or emptied as far as possible, the stopper 23 is activated for blocking the dividing star 18 and the stopper 22 is deactivated for releasing the dividing star 17, so that the bottles 1, as described for normal trouble-free operation, get to the filling machine 4.

To forward on the one hand in trouble-free operation and also when restarting the filling machine 4 after a standstill or a fault on the transfer element 15 and its transfer star 16 conveyed bottles 1 to the inlet star 12 and on the other hand, during a fault, the bottles 1 on the transfer star 15th to promote to the buffer path inlet 21, corresponding control means are provided. These are, for example, one or more Pushers formed that move the bottles 1 at the transfer position 12.1 in shots or gripper 24 of the inlet star 12 in normal trouble-free operation and when restarting the filling machine 4. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to make the grippers 24 controllable, so that in the event of a fault they leave the bottles 1 moved past the transfer position 12.1 in the receptacles 16 of the transfer star 15, from which the bottles 1 then forcibly move out of the buffer path inlet 21 by corresponding guide means and be transferred to the buffer section 20 and their leadership. Other means for controlling the bottle transfer or leadership of the inlet star 12 or past this are conceivable.

The control of the stoppers 22 and 23 and the means for transferring the bottles from the transfer star 15 to the infeed star 12 is effected, for example, by means of a control and monitoring, e.g. Computer-aided control and monitoring electronics 25.

FIG. 3 shows, as a further embodiment, a transport system 2 a which differs from the transport system 2 essentially in that the transfer star 15 at the same time forms the inlet of the filling machine 4 or of the rotor 14 having the filling positions 13, ie the inlet star 12 has been dispensed with. The transfer star 15 are in turn assigned to the dividing star 17 at the end of the transport path 19 and the dividing star 18 at the end of the buffer section 20th

Also associated with the transfer star 15 is a delivery star 26 which forms the buffer track inlet and which is controllable, for example, by the control and monitoring electronics 25 in such a way that via the delivery starters 26 in the case of a breastfeeding condition or a disruption of the filling machine 4 the bottles 1 are ejected from the Transfer star 15 are passed into the buffer section 20. The arrangement is further made such that in the direction of rotation B of the transfer star 15 on the transfer position 17.1 between the dividing star 17 and the transfer star 15, the transfer position 18.1 between the dividing star 18 and the transfer star 15, on the transfer position 18.1 the transfer position 26.1 between the transfer star 26 and the transfer star 15 and the transfer position 26.1 the transfer position 15.1 between the transfer star 15 and the rotor 14 and the local filling positions 13 follow. On the transport path 19 and on the buffer section 20, in turn, the controllable stoppers 22 and 23 are provided.

In normal, trouble-free operation, the bottles 1 are conveyed in the transport system 2 a via the transport path 19 and the transfer star 15 to the filling positions 13 of the rotor 14 of the filling machine 4. In case of a standstill or a Disturbance of the filling machine 4, the bottles 1 are at least until emptying of the blow molding machine 3 via the transport path 19, the dividing star 17, the transfer star 15 and for removing the bottles 1 from the receptacles 16 of the transfer star 15 activated discharge star 26 led into the buffer section 20. After re-starting of the filling machine 4 or after correcting a fault, the bottles 1 are fed from the buffer section 20 via the dividing star 17 and the transfer star 15 of the filling machine 4 or in filling positions 13 on the rotor 14.

Both systems 2 and 2a thus have the advantage that the resulting at a standstill or a failure of the filling machine 4 and the emptying of the blow molding machine 3 bottles are not discarded, but continue to be used after the elimination of the fault. Both systems 2 and 2a also have the advantage that after the removal of a fault in the buffer section 20 bottles 1 are available, so that the filling process can be continued without delay when re-starting the filling machine 4 or after removing a fault.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention.

Thus, for example, according to the invention, it is likewise possible and provided to omit the transport path 19 shown in the exemplary embodiments as a substantially linear air transport path, or the outlet of the blow molding machine 1 1, for example a transport star serving as such and the dividing star 17 directly or under Insertion of one or more known neck handling transport stars to connect with each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 bottle

1.1 mouth flange

1a preform

2, 2a transport system

3 blowing machine

4 filling machine

5 guiding or transport element

6 heating station

6.1 Transport element

7 enema

8 outlet

9 rotor or blowing wheel

9.1 Blow mold

10 blowing station

11 outlet

12 inlet star

12.1 Transfer position

13 filling position

14 rotor

15 transfer stars

15.1 transfer position

16 recording

17, 18 dividing stars

17.1, 18.1 transfer position

19 transport route

20 buffer line

21 buffer path inlet

22, 23 stoppers

24 grippers

25 control and monitoring electronics

26 dispensing star

26.1 transfer position

A direction of rotation of the rotor 14

B Rotational direction of the transfer star 15

Claims

claims

1. Transport system for the transport of bottles or similar container (1) between at least one first machine (3), for example, blow molding machine for producing the container (1) made of plastic, and at least one second machine (4), for example, filling machine, characterized by at least a circumferentially drivable transport element (15) with a plurality of container receptacles (16) which are moved by the transport element (15) past several successive transfer positions (12.1, 17.1, 18.1, 21, 26.1) in a transport element circulation or transport direction (B) of which at least one transfer position (17.1) for feeding the containers (1) from the first machine (3) to the transport element (15), at least one transfer position (12.1, 26.1) for forwarding the containers (1) to the second machine ( 4), at least one transfer position (21, 26.1) for forwarding the containers (1) to at least one buffer section (20) and at least one bergabeposition (18.1) serve for passing the container (1) from the buffer section (20) on the transport element (15).

2. Transport system according to claim 1, characterized by control means for controlled forwarding of the container (1) from the transport element (15) at a transfer position (12.1, 15.1) to the second machine (4) or at a transfer position (21, 26.1) to the at least one buffer section (20).

3. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element around a vertical axis circumferentially drivable transport or transfer star (15) with open at the periphery container receptacles (16).

4. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one transfer position (12.1, 17.1, 18.1, 26.1) of a with the revolving transport element (15) cooperating, respectively receptacles for the container (1) having transport or dividing star ( 12, 17, 18, 26) is formed.

5. Transport system according to claim 4, characterized in that the transfer position forming the transfer star (17.1) at the end of a transport path (19) for supplying the container (1) provided Teilungsstern (17).

6. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer position (12.1) forming the transport star of the container inlet star (12) of the second machine.

7. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer position forming the transport star (26.1) is a discharge star (26) to which the inlet of the at least one buffer section (20) adjoins or which the inlet of the at least one buffer line (20) forms.

8. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer position forming the transfer star (18.1) is a dividing star (18) at the outlet of at least one buffer section (20).

9. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means (22, 23) for the controlled locking and releasing the container feed to a first transfer position (17.1) and / or to a further transfer position (18.1).

10. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional elements are formed at least in large part for a holder and / or guide the container (1) on a container or mouth flange (1.1).

11. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circulating transport element (15) and the container receptacles (16) for holding and / or guiding the container (1) on a container or mouth flange (1.1) are formed.

12. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when forming the first machine (3) as a blow molding machine, the transport system is controllable such that at a standstill or a fault in the second machine (4) made when emptying the blow molding machine Container (1) via the transport element (15) into the buffer section (20) are passed.

13. Transport system according to claim 12, characterized in that the transport system (2, 2a) is controllable such that after the fault in the second machine (4) during the restart of the blow molding machine first container (1) from the buffer line (20) on the transport or trans- ferelement (15) and be forwarded via a transfer position to the second machine (4).

14. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport or transfer element (15) at a transfer position (15.1) directly to the second machine (4) connects.

15. Transport element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer positions (12.1, 17.1, 18.1, 26.1) are provided at equal or approximately equal intervals on the movement path of the container receptacles (16).

16. Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the direction of rotation (B) of the transport or transfer element (15) the transfer positions in the order given below sequentially:

- first transfer position (17.1),

second transfer position (12.1),

third transfer position (21) and

- fourth transfer position (18.1).

17. Transport system according to one of claims 1-15, characterized in that in the direction of rotation (B) of the transport or transfer element (15) the transfer-off positions follow one another in the order given below:

- first transfer position (17.1),

- second transfer position (26.1).

- third transfer position (18.1) and

fourth transfer position (15.1),

18. Plant for treating bottles or similar containers (1) with at least two machines (3, 4) connected to one another via a transport system (2, 2a) for transporting the containers (1), characterized in that the transport system (2, 2a) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

19. Plant according to claim 18, characterized in that the first machine (3) is a blow molding machine for producing the container (1) by stretch blow molding preforms (1 a) made of thermoplastic material, and that the blow molding machine and the transport system (2 , 2a) are controllable such that in the case of Standstill or a malfunction of the second machine (4) with interrupted supply of the preforms (1 a) to the blow molding machine all existing in this preforms (1 a) to containers (1) and this in an interrupted container transfer to the second machine (4) in the at least buffer section (20) are conveyed.